Qatar and Pakistan advance mediation efforts as US and Iran pause direct military strikes

  Iran and Oman have made significant progress in negotiations over a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides agreeing on the precise maritime coordinates. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said a joint statement is currently being prepared, although its release depends on the absence of outside interference. He stressed that the understanding, while important, would not by itself guarantee complete security in the strategically vital waterway. According to sources, the proposed arrangement would place Iran in charge of overseeing vessels entering the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. The sources described the proposal as one of Tehran’s most substantial concessions in the ongoing discussions. However, they dismissed claims made by US President Donald Trump that a comprehensive agreement to fully reopen the strait was close, saying several key issues remain unresolved. Baghaei described the negotiations with Oman as constructive and professional, noting that both countries have reached consensus on the shipping corridor. He added that officials are now working on the final wording of the joint declaration. An Iranian diplomatic source also expressed optimism that an agreement could be reached within the next couple of days if no external actors complicate the process. The source further clarified that the Strait of Hormuz has never been closed due to disagreements between Iran and Oman, insisting that any disruption to navigation depends on actions taken by the United States. Separately, Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Committee, said the time would eventually come when US military forces would withdraw from the region. He argued that countries hosting American bases would ultimately be responsible for financing their own security after the departure of US troops. Iranian state media also maintained that any shipping agreement with Oman would not automatically result in the reopening of the strait if Washington continued policies that Tehran considers hostile. A source quoted that the discussions with Oman are strictly bilateral and unrelated to negotiations involving the United States. In another development, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk voiced concern over a sharp increase in executions in Iran since March. He said at least 56 individuals have been executed on national security charges during this period, including 27 people connected to earlier anti-government protests. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for launching ballistic missiles at the Saudi oil tanker Wafaa near Yanbu in the northern Red Sea. A Houthi spokesperson said the missiles struck their intended target and described the attack as part of the group’s continuing blockade against Saudi Arabia. According to the group, the tanker is the eighth vessel targeted since the blockade began in July. Iranian parliamentarian Esmail Kowsari criticised President Trump’s public statements on the Strait of Hormuz, accusing him of making inconsistent and misleading claims about the negotiations. He argued that repeated assertions about the strait reopening and Iran’s position have failed to match developments on the ground. President Trump, however, said the waterway would reopen soon and warned that Iran would face severe consequences if negotiations collapsed. He also claimed that easing tensions in the region could lead to a significant drop in global oil prices. Qatar said diplomatic mediation efforts are making steady progress, with the country’s Emir discussing the latest developments with President Trump in an effort to narrow differences between Washington and Tehran. At the same time, Israeli officials reportedly expressed concern that the United States appears willing to secure an agreement regardless of the terms, adding that Israel is receiving updates on the Hormuz negotiations only through indirect channels.

  HOUSTON: Friends of Karachi Houston, a prominent Pakistani-American community organization, hosted a grand Haleem feast on August 2, 2026, to mark Muharram-ul-Haram, continuing a tradition that has brought the community together for the past 12 years. More than 2,000 people attended the annual community gathering, making it one of the largest Muharram-related Haleem events held in Texas, according to the organizers. The event attracted a diverse cross-section of the Pakistani-American community, including former federal and provincial ministers, former members of the National and Provincial Assemblies, political leaders, social workers, business figures and community representatives. Members of the US Congress also attended the gathering, along with representatives and office-bearers from both the Republican and Democratic parties. Their participation highlighted the event’s growing importance as a platform for community engagement and cultural connection. The gathering also brought together Pakistanis from different schools of thought and backgrounds, reflecting the spirit of unity and brotherhood associated with Muharram. Families, community members and guests gathered to enjoy traditional Pakistani Haleem while reconnecting with their cultural roots. Guests praised the organizers for the event’s arrangements and the authentic taste of the Haleem. Many attendees said the gathering gave them a strong sense of connection with Pakistan and made them feel as though they had briefly returned to their homeland. The annual feast has become a much-anticipated event for the Pakistani community in Houston. Over the years, it has provided an opportunity for people to come together, celebrate their shared cultural heritage and strengthen relationships within the wider community. At the conclusion of the event, the Friends of Karachi Houston administration thanked all guests, volunteers and supporters whose contributions helped make the gathering successful. The organizers also reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the tradition in the coming years and bringing the community together with the same spirit of service, solidarity and brotherhood during Muharram.